It's still a off in the future a ways, but I go over this question in my mind all the time. Do I rebuild the 292, or do I swap in the 351W my buddy built for a project he no longer has; or maybe a different engine?

The truck: 1964 F100 4x4 (t-98, D-20, 3.89 gears). No longer a daily driver, but driven usually a couple times a week... sometimes it will sit for few weeks at a time. It does chores, hauls gravel, firewood, trash to the dump, etc. With a new engine there wouldn't be any reason it couldn't see some daily driver duty though.

It drives well and is fairly dependable, but the engine is tired with cylinders ranging between 91 lbs and just over 120 lbs. The body is a little on the rough side. Down the road I may have the body work done and paint it so it looks clean, but I don't have any plans to fully restore it. It has a/c and I'd like to make that work, and will probably put some sort of seat belt/shoulder harness setup in -and maybe a locker in the 9 inch to make climbing those steep hills in the woods a little easier.

I have had the truck over 15 years and don't have any plans to get rid of it, so whatever I do will be done to make it dependable, comfortable and functional. It would be cool to keep the 292, just because it's original and more unique (oh, and easy). The 351 would be a more modern design with more power and the dizzy in front, which is always nice. If I do keep the 292, I might consider doing TBI, or some other more current fuel delivery system.

I'm interested in all your opinions and input. I really enjoy driving the truck and have replaced things that need replacing, but other than converting it to an alternator, have kept it stock... I even still use the oil bath.

Thanks,
-Mark

 

I vote to keep the Y.

It sounds like you want to use it pretty much as it is being used now and it sounds like the Y is doing it's job. Big valve heads, a 4 barrel intake, and dual exhaust will make it feel like a different engine. I don't think there will be anything to gain in swapping the engines for the way it sounds like you will be using it.

If your thinking about a hotrod, then it's a different story. I still vote for the Y, if you can afford it. The Y is capable of streetable and unstreetable power levels.

 

Although I cant argue with the improved distributor location for the 351, stick with the Y. They are strong and dependable if done right. "C" heads offer an improvement in performance and can be found relatively inexpensively, going from your 1.64 intake valve to 1.78, with decrease in combustion chamber volume. Cut them down .020 for additional compression.

Keep the cam mild to retain the truck's usefulness as a hauler.

 

Thanks. Keeping the Y-block makes sense in a lot of ways. I'd need to familiarize myself with the Y-Block build "tricks".

 

Mark: As you've probably figured out, you've jumped into the middle of a small, but dedicated, group of Y-Block fans. I agree with Charlie and yblock46. For more info on upgrades and rebuild tips you might take a look at www.yblocksforever.com and John Mummert's site: FORD Y

Note: If at some time you decide to switch out the Y-block I would be interested in the AC parts (pulley, condenser, brackets, etc.)

 

This is sort of hijacking my own thread, but I was looking around at Y-Block stuff and came across this:

BadMushroomExperience2.flv video by Reilukaista - Photobucket

BME.jpg picture by Reilukaista - Photobucket

Maybe you've all seen it, but I thought it was pretty cool. Owner-designed manifolds and two Suzuki GSXR motorcycle throttle bodies...

 

Here's a more clear image from the same site:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...kaista/BME.jpg

 

That is pretty. Looks like something special down at the harmonic balancer too, but cant see it well enough. If you keep looking at pictures like this you are headed for street rodding .

 

The guy who made that video is a member of Y-blocksforever. What you see on the crank is a crank trigger.